Cabin Baggage Rules

Learn more about what you may take with you in the cabin

To ensure that travel is comfortable and safe for all customers, it is important that baggage carried in the cabin comply with a set of rules and allowances.

These allowances may vary depending on your route, class of travel and your Emirates Skywards membership tier. You can use our baggage allowance calculator to see exactly what cabin baggage you may bring onto your flight.

Cabin Baggage Allowances

Generally, the amount of cabin baggage you may bring depends on which service class you are flying.

First Class and Business Class customers are permitted two pieces of carry-on baggage: one briefcase plus either one handbag or one garment bag. The briefcase may not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20cm); the handbag may not exceed 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20cm); the garment bag can be no more than 8 inches (20cm) thick when folded. The weight of each piece must not exceed 7kg (15lb).

Economy Class customers are permitted one piece of carry-on baggage, either a handbag or laptop bag, that may not exceed 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20cm) and must weigh no more than 15lb (7kg).

Note: For customers boarding in India, the size of carry-on baggage may not exceed 45.3 total inches or 115cm (length + width + height).

Duty free purchases such as liquor, cigarettes and perfume are also permitted in reasonable quantities for all service classes. However, liquid restrictions in effect in many airports may prevent these items from getting past security screening points. See more about liquid restrictions.

Customers Travelling with Infants

Customers in any class of service who are travelling with an infant are permitted one extra piece of checked-in baggage that may not exceed 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20cm) in size or 22lb (10kg) where the weight concept applies and 50lb (23kg) where the piece concept applies.

In addition, customers travelling with infants are permitted to bring one carry-cot or one fully collapsible stroller into the cabin if there is room. If there is no space for these items in the cabin, they will have to be checked. However, if checked, they will not count against your baggage allowance.

Transporting Liquids

Liquid restrictions on hand baggage now apply to all customers boarding from or transiting through Dubai International Airport as well as many other airports around the world.

Flights to certain countries, including Australia and New Zealand, have additional checks on liquids, aerosols and gels at the departure gate – any items which do not comply with the security restrictions below will be confiscated.

Please note that these checks may prevent you from carrying duty free liquid goods purchased prior to these flights, including items purchased on board, if carried as part of your normal hand baggage.

Items bought in Dubai International Airport can be sealed and delivered separately to the aircraft, for collection on arrival at your final destination, for customers travelling to or via countries with these restrictions.

In order to ensure that the liquids you bring on board comply with international regulations, please make certain that they are packaged and transported in the following manner:

All liquids, gels and aerosols, pastes, lotions, creams, drinks and other items of similar consistency must be in containers with a capacity no greater than 100ml. Those carried in containers larger than 100ml will not be accepted, even if the container is only partially filled.

These containers must be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag of a maximum capacity not exceeding one litre. Larger bags or bags that are non-sealable, such as fold-over sandwich bags, are not allowed.

The containers must fit comfortably within the plastic bag, which is to be completely closed.

You will need to present the plastic bag for visual examination at the security screening point. Only one bag per customer will be permitted.

Exemptions will be made for medications, baby milk or foods, and special dietary requirements, but you will need to show an appropriate means of verifying the nature of these items.

For more details about transporting liquids, see our FAQ on hand baggage rules and liquids.

Sports Equipment and Musical Instruments

Sports equipment and musical instruments are subject to the same size and weight restrictions as other forms of cabin baggage. However, it is possible to transport these items on a separate, paid-for seat in the cabin.

Please note that certain conditions and limitations may apply when transporting musical instruments. To review these conditions or if you have any questions regarding musical instrument transport, please contact your local Emirates office.

Restricted Items and Dangerous Goods

Due to international regulations, and to ensure the safety of our customers, there are a number of restrictions on items that can be carried in your cabin baggage.

Items that may cause injury or represent any other security or safety threat can only be carried as checked baggage, and are not allowed in cabin baggage. These items should be appropriately packed for carriage as checked baggage, in accordance with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and relevant Emirates regulations.

Dangerous Goods are classified as items or substances that may pose health and safety hazards to customers. The transport of these goods is regulated by Civil Aviation Regulations, and they are generally not allowed in either cabin baggage or checked baggage, with some exceptions.

See the Guide to Dangerous Goods to determine what items are classified as Dangerous Goods, what is permitted in baggage and what you need to declare at the airport. See our Conditions of Carriage (Article 8.3.6) for rules on items confiscated by Security.

Medical equipment on board

The use of certain medical devices on board Emirates flights is permitted: please see our information on health and special needs for details of permitted devices and any restrictions.

Cabin Baggage Placement

All cabin baggage must fit either under the seat in front of you or in one of the overhead lockers. Baggage may not be placed behind your legs, in the aisles or in front of emergency exits.